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Virchows Arch 2019 Feb 12. Epub 2019 Feb 12.

Unit of Melanoma, Cancer Immunotherapy and Development Therapeutics, Istituto Nazionale Tumori - IRCCS - "Fondazione G. Pascale", Via Mariano Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy.

AbstractSeveral researches have been carried over the last few decades to understand of how cancer evades the immune system and thus to identify therapies that could directly act on patient's immune system in the way of restore or induce a response to cancer. As a consequence, "cancer immunotherapy" is conquering predominantly the modern scenario of the fight against cancer. The recent clinical success of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has created an entire new class of anti-cancer drugs and restored interest in the field of immuno-oncology, leading to regulatory approvals of several agents for the treatment of a variety of malignancies. Read More

J Diabetes Investig 2019 Feb 9. Epub 2019 Feb 9.

Department of Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Nephrology, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-8638, Japan.

With the expansive use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), the frequency of immune-related adverse events, including autoimmune type 1 diabetes, have been exponentially increased. The anti-programmed death-ligand 1 antibody, avelumab, has recently been approved for metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) therapy. Herein, we report a patient that developed fulminant type 1 diabetes during avelumab treatment. Read More

Front Oncol 2019 24;9:20. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, University of Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is linked to the presence of clonally integrated Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) in up to 80% of the cases. The aim of the study was to determine the prognostic value of baseline MCPyV viral load and lymphocytic infiltration. MCPyV DNA prevalence, integration status and viral load were determined by specific quantitative real-time PCR in surgical specimens obtained from 49 patients with MCC treated with ( = 22, 45%) or without postoperative radiotherapy (RT). Read More

J Clin Oncol 2019 Feb 6:JCO1801896. Epub 2019 Feb 6.

2 Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center and Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Baltimore, MD.

Purpose: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive skin cancer often caused by the Merkel cell polyomavirus. Clinical trials of programmed cell death-1 pathway inhibitors for advanced MCC (aMCC) demonstrate increased progression-free survival (PFS) compared with historical chemotherapy data. However, response durability and overall survival (OS) data are limited. Read More

Cancer Immunol Immunother 2019 Feb 5. Epub 2019 Feb 5.

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.

Background: Response rates are primary endpoints in many oncology trials; however, correlation with overall survival (OS) is not uniform across cancer types, treatments, or lines of therapy. This study explored the association between objective response (OR) and OS in patients with chemotherapy-refractory metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma who received avelumab (anti-PD-L1).

Methods: Eighty-eight patients enrolled in JAVELIN Merkel 200 (part A; NCT02155647) received i. Read More

Br J Haematol 2019 Jan 31. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

Division of Molecular Genetic Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.

Improvement of survival in lymphocytic leukaemia has been accompanied by the occurrence of second primary cancer (SPCs). Based on Swedish Family Cancer Database, we applied bi-directional analyses in which relative risks (RRs) were calculated for any SPCs in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and hairy cell leukaemia (HCL) and the risks of these leukaemias as SPCs. After CLL, RRs were significant for 20 SPCs, and high for skin squamous cell cancer (24·58 for in situ and 7·63 for invasive), Merkel cell carcinoma (14·36), Hodgkin lymphoma (7·16) and Kaposi sarcoma (6·76). Read More

J Am Acad Dermatol 2019 Jan 28. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

Department of Dermatology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Background: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and potentially lethal skin-cancer. MCC is known for its potential rapid growth and its propensity to metastasise.

Objective: To describe the incidence, treatment and survival of MCC in a population-based setting. Read More

Br J Dermatol 2019 Jan 31. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

Translational Skin Cancer Research, DKTK Partner Site Essen/Düsseldorf, West German Cancer Center, University Duisburg-Essen, Dermatology, Essen, Germany.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an infrequent malignant skin tumour with epithelial and neuroendocrine differentiation. Though it is a highly aggressive malignancy, the distinct molecular pathogenesis of MCC is not yet fully understood. Apart from DNA methylation, histone modification, and microRNA-mediated and long non-coding RNA-mediated regulation, hydroxymethylation may also play an important role in cancer development. Read More

Hautarzt 2019 Jan 30. Epub 2019 Jan 30.

Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Hufelandstraße 55, 45147, Essen, Deutschland.

Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare, highly aggressive skin tumor with neuroendocrine features found in older people. The pathogenesis is associated with immunosuppression, chronic UV light exposure and the Merkel cell polyomavirus. Clinically, Merkel cell carcinoma presents as a solitary, cutaneous or subcutaneous, red to bluish node. Read More

Curr Opin Oncol 2019 Mar;31(2):72-83

APHP, Department of Dermatology, Saint-Louis Hospital, Sorbonne Paris Cité Université, Paris Diderot, INSERM U976, Paris, France.

Purpose Of Review: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a rapidly progressing skin cancer, has poor prognosis. We reviewed the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of MCC, with a focus on recent therapeutic advancements.

Recent Findings: Risk factors for MCC, such as old age, immunosuppression, polyomavirus infection and exposure to UV radiation have already been identified, but the underlying mechanisms leading to carcinogenesis still need clarification. Read More

PLoS Pathog 2019 Jan 28;15(1):e1007543. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States of America.

Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) accounts for 80% of all Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) cases through expression of two viral oncoproteins: the truncated large T antigen (LT-t) and small T antigen (ST). MCPyV ST is thought to be the main driver of cellular transformation and has also been shown to increase LT protein levels through the activity of its Large-T Stabilization Domain (LSD). The ST LSD was reported to bind and sequester several ubiquitin ligases, including Fbw7 and β-TrCP, and thereby stabilize LT-t and several other Fbw7 targets including c-Myc and cyclin E. Read More

Isr Med Assoc J 2019 Jan;21(1):63-64

Department of Otolaryngology/Head.

Eur J Cancer 2019 Jan 22;109:21-27. Epub 2019 Jan 22.

Medical Oncology Department, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria la Princesa, HU La Princesa, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address:

Background: Cancer immune therapy has shown remarkable benefit in the treatment of a range of cancer types, although it may initiate autoimmune-related disorders in some patients. We have attempted to establish whether the incidence of irAEs after the use of anti-PD-1 antibodies nivolumab or pembrolizumab in advanced malignancies is associated with anti-PD-1 treatment efficacy.

Patients And Methods: We studied patients treated with single-agent nivolumab or pembrolizumab for advanced cancer. Read More

Clin J Oncol Nurs 2019 Feb;23(1):E1-E9

Massachusetts General Hospital.

Background: Metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (mMCC) is a rare skin cancer with poor prognosis. Avelumab is the first approved treatment option for patients with mMCC. Immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as avelumab, are associated with unique toxicities that can be effectively addressed with prompt recognition and appropriate management. Read More

Pharmacoecon Open 2019 Jan 24. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.

Background: Metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (mMCC) is a rare and aggressive skin cancer. Until recently, there were no licensed treatment options for patients with mMCC, and prognosis was poor. A cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted for avelumab, a newly available treatment option for mMCC, versus standard care (SC), from a UK National Health Service perspective. Read More

Int J Dermatol 2019 Mar 24;58(3):e68-e71. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

Autoimmune Bullous Diseases Research Center, Department of Dermatology, Razi Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Cureus 2018 Nov 14;10(11):e3589. Epub 2018 Nov 14.

Radiation Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, CAN.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare cutaneous neuroendocrine tumor arising predominantly on sun-exposed skin among the elderly. The most common location is the head and neck, followed by the extremities. MCCs are highly aggressive tumors and rarely undergo spontaneous regression. Read More

Oncol Lett 2019 Feb 27;17(2):1768-1776. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Saarland University Medical Center, D-66421 Homburg, Germany.

Atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX) is a rare mesenchymal tumor with predominance in older male patients located mainly in chronically UV-exposed skin. Differentiation from clinically more aggressive pleomorphic dermal sarcoma (PDS) is still under debate and immunohistochemical markers are not available yet. An immunohistochemical study, including 41 cases of AFX was conducted to investigate the expression of 3q encoded oncogene in AFX and determine the associations with histomorphologic, clinical and viral parameters. Read More

JAMA Dermatol 2019 Jan 23. Epub 2019 Jan 23.

Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco.

Importance: Risk factors for the development of skin cancer after solid-organ transplant can inform clinical care, but data on these risk factors are limited.

Objective: To study the association between HLA antigen mismatch and skin cancer incidence after solid-organ transplant.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This retrospective cohort study is a secondary analysis of the multicenter Transplant Skin Cancer Network study of 10 649 adults who underwent a primary solid-organ transplant between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2003, or between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2008. Read More

Clin Transl Radiat Oncol 2019 Feb 31;15:42-45. Epub 2018 Dec 31.

OncoRay - National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Dresden, Germany.

This case report presents a HIV-positive 60-year old male with Merkel cell carcinoma of his right forearm and pulmonary sarcoidosis, who, after excisions and irradiations of the primary tumour site and subsequent lymph node metastases developed distant metastases. He received radiotherapy to symptomatic mediastinal lymph node metastases followed by Doxorubicin and, after two cycles, by the PD-1 inhibitor Pembrolizumab due to mixed response. Re-staging showed a para-mediastinal, radiotherapy-induced pneumonitis, which was treated by prednisolone due to clinical symptoms. Read More

Histopathology 2019 Jan 22. Epub 2019 Jan 22.

Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.

Aim: Neuroendocrine carcinoma, small cell type of the uterine cervix (SmCC-Cx) is a rare HPV- related tumor with limited therapeutic options. Merkel cell carcinoma, another virus-associated neuroendocrine malignancy, has significant PD-L1 expression rates. PD-L1 expression has been reported in other malignancies of the cervix. Read More

Microsurgery 2019 Jan 21. Epub 2019 Jan 21.

Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Osaka Medical College, Osaka, Japan.

This report presents reconstruction of wide- and full-thickness upper eyelid defects with a composite radial forearm-splitting palmaris longus tendon flap, which maintains eyelid opening and closing functions and supporting tissue in a Meibomian gland carcinoma in the right upper eyelid (case 1) and Merkel cell carcinoma in the right upper eyelid (case 2). After tumor resection with excisional margins, the defects involved the muscle, tarsal, and mucosa, with defect sizes of 60 × 40 mm and 85 × 40 mm, respectively. A radial forearm flap with the palmaris longus tendon was transferred. Read More

Onco Targets Ther 2019 11;12:535-540. Epub 2019 Jan 11.

Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China,

Background: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a kind of cutaneous neuroendocrine cancer with a poor prognosis. It is characterized by a high rate of recurrence and metastases, including distant metastases and regional nodal metastases. Clinically, MCC often manifests as obvious single painless hard nodules visible in sun irradiation of diameter <2 cm and not uncommonly >2 cm, with rapid growth and metastases, especially lymph node metastases. Read More

Sci Transl Med 2019 Jan;11(475)

Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.

Because of the well-established therapeutic benefit of boosting antitumor responses through blockade of the T cell inhibitory receptor PD-1, it has been proposed that PD-1 blockade could also be useful in infectious disease settings, including (Mtb) infection. However, in preclinical models, Mtb-infected PD-1 mice mount exaggerated T1 responses that drive lethal immunopathology. Multiple cases of tuberculosis during PD-1 blockade have been observed in patients with cancer, but in humans little is understood about Mtb-specific immune responses during checkpoint blockade-associated tuberculosis. Read More

Biomed Res Int 2018 16;2018:4678362. Epub 2018 Dec 16.

Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Holy Family Red Crescent Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Bangladesh is grappling with the largest mass poisoning of a population in the world due to contamination of drinking water with naturally occurring inorganic arsenic. It is estimated that 75 million people of 59 (out of 64) districts are at risk of drinking contaminated water with arsenic above 50g/L. Long term exposure to arsenic causes cancers, including skin, lung, and bladder. Read More

Dis Colon Rectum 2019 Feb;62(2):196-202

Surgical Outcomes Research Centre (SOuRCe), Sydney Local Health District, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.

Background: Ischiorectal fossa tumors are rare.

Objective: This study reviews a single institution's series of ischiorectal tumors with comparison against presacral tumors and assesses the utility of preoperative biopsy and angioembolization.

Design: This is a retrospective study. Read More

J Clin Pathol 2019 Jan 13. Epub 2019 Jan 13.

Department of Pathology, Dermatopathology Section, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare primary cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma. The annual incidence of MCC is increasing in the USA. Timely diagnosis and proper staging of this tumour are crucial as MCC has high rates of regional recurrence and lymph node and distant metastasis. Read More

Transpl Int 2019 Jan 10. Epub 2019 Jan 10.

Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.

To date 14 human polyomaviruses (HPyVs) have been identified. The newly found HPyVs have not been examined with regard to post-transplant skin carcinogenesis. To determine the occurrences in skin and possible pathological associations of the HPyVs, we studied their genoprevalences in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in situ or actinic keratosis and benign skin in liver transplant recipients (LiTRs); and of healthy skin in immunocompetent adults. Read More

Front Med (Lausanne) 2018 12;5:351. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Sean N. Parker Autoimmune Research Laboratory, Diabetes Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States.

Immunotherapy for skin malignancies has ushered in a new era for cancer treatments by demonstrating unprecedented durable responses in the setting of metastatic Melanoma. Consequently, checkpoint inhibitors are now the first-line treatment of metastatic melanoma and widely used as adjuvant therapy for stage III disease. With the observation that higher tumor mutational burden correlates with a better response, checkpoint inhibitors are tested in other skin cancer types of known high tumor mutational burden with promising results and recently became the first-ever FDA-approved treatment for metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma. Read More

J Virol 2019 Jan 9. Epub 2019 Jan 9.

Institute of Cellular Virology, ZMBE, University of Münster, Germany

Merkel Cell Polyomavirus (MCPyV) is a small, non-enveloped tumor virus associated with an aggressive form of skin cancer, the Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). MCPyV infections are highly prevalent in the human population with MCPyV virions being continuously shed from human skin. However, the precise host cell tropism(s) of MCPyV remains unclear: MCPyV is able to replicate within a subset of dermal fibroblasts, but MCPyV DNA has also been detected in a variety of other tissues. Read More

Clin Chem 2019 Jan 9. Epub 2019 Jan 9.

Institute of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.

Background: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, aggressive skin cancer with increasing incidence and high mortality rates. MCC has recently become the subject of immune checkpoint therapy, but reliable biomarkers for estimating prognosis, risk stratification, and prediction of response are missing.

Methods: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) were detected in peripheral blood from patients with MCC by use of the CellSearch® system. Read More

Int J Dermatol 2019 Jan 8. Epub 2019 Jan 8.

Virology Medical Research Laboratory, Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

Background: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare but aggressive primary cutaneous carcinoma with high mortality rates. The present study intends to delineate the epidemiological profile of patients with MCC seen at the Clinics Hospital of the Medical School at the University of São Paulo, Brazil, and its association with Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV).

Methods: This is a retrospective study. Read More

J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2019 Feb 7;145(2):429-443. Epub 2019 Jan 7.

Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy.

Purpose: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, aggressive neuroendocrine carcinoma arising from the skin. We aimed to review and deal with some of the most relevant controversial topics on the correct use of immunotherapy for the treatment of MCC.

Methods: The primary search was carried out via PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library (until 31st May, 2018), while other articles and guidelines were retrieved from related papers or those referenced in these papers. Read More

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019 Jan 31;116(3):1027-1032. Epub 2018 Dec 31.

Program in Virology, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138;

Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV) contributes to approximately 80% of all Merkel cell carcinomas (MCCs), a highly aggressive neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin. MCV-positive MCC expresses small T antigen (ST) and a truncated form of large T antigen (LT) and usually contains wild-type p53 (TP53) and RB (RB1). In contrast, virus-negative MCC contains inactivating mutations in TP53 and RB1. Read More

Memo 2018 20;11(4):261-265. Epub 2018 Nov 20.

Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 8, 8036 Graz, Austria.

The 2018 ASCO Annual Meeting provided a closer look on the details of studies already presented. In melanoma, the interest was on neoadjuvant treatment options with high pathological response rates as well as updates on large phase III studies in stage IV disease. Further new targets were discussed focusing on additional drugs to a PD-1 backbone treatment. Read More

Skin Res Technol 2018 Dec 28. Epub 2018 Dec 28.

Department of Medical, Surgical and Neurological Science - Dermatology Section, University of Siena, S. Maria alle Scotte Hospital, Siena, Italy.

Anticancer Res 2019 Jan;39(1):319-329

Division of Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago, Japan

Background/aim: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, aggressive, neuroendocrine skin cancer and most MCCs are related to infection with Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV). Notch signaling modulates cell fate in various tissues including the skin during development and homeostasis, and its aberrant activity relates to onset and progression of various malignancies. Therefore, association of NOTCH1/ NOTCH2/NOTCH3/jagged 1 (JAG1) expression with MCPyV status and prognosis in MCC was investigated. Read More

Histopathology 2018 Dec 27. Epub 2018 Dec 27.

Department of Pathology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.

Aims: Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare cutaneous neuroendocrine tumor of the skin, can be categorized into two groups according to Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV) presence. MCV-negative tumors are more aggressive and frequently associated with gene mutations. Some of the genes are potential therapeutic targets. Read More

Ann Dermatol Venereol 2018 Dec;145 Suppl 7:VIIS40-VIIS46

Chef du service de dermato-oncologie et INSERM U 981, Gustave-Roussy, université Paris-Sud, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France. Electronic address:

This year again, several breaking news were published in our field of oncodermatology, especially in the domain of immunotherapy. Many works have reported results on predictive biomarker identification. Concerning melanoma treatment, we were disappointed by the negative results of the phase III trial evaluating the IDO1 inhibitor epacadostat + pembrolizumab versus pembrolizumab. Read More

Bull Cancer 2019 Jan 19;106(1):64-72. Epub 2018 Dec 19.

AP-HP Dermatology, hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris 7 Diderot University, Department of Dermatology, Inserm U976, 1, avenue Claude-Vellefaux, 75010 Paris, France.

Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC) is a rare neuroendocrine skin cancer that is associated with frequent recurrences and a high mortality rate. In the recent past years, incidence rates of MCC have increased in the USA, Australia and Europe. About one third of patients present metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis or will develop metastases in the course of their disease. Read More

J Vasc Surg 2019 Jan;69(1):181-189

Division of Vascular Surgery, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Va. Electronic address:

Objective: Head and neck cancer can involve the surrounding vasculature and require technically challenging vascular interventions. These interventions can be complicated by tumor invasion, history of prior surgery, and history of radiation therapy. Our aim was to examine patients with vascular interventions in association with head and neck cancer to determine outcomes and best practice. Read More

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2018 Dec 21. Epub 2018 Dec 21.

Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.

Purpose: Approximately 20% of cancers are estimated to have a viral etiology. We aimed to investigate whether DNA of 8 human parvoviruses [bocavirus 1-4 (HBoV1-4), parvovirus B19 (B19V), protoparvoviruses (bufa-, tusa-, and cutavirus)] and 13 human polyomaviruses (HPyV) can be detected in oropharyngeal and oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC/OSCC), and in juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) tissue samples.

Methods: Fresh samples of seven JNA tissues and ten paired tissues of OSCC/OPSCC tumor and adjacent healthy tissues were collected. Read More

J Dermatol 2019 Feb 19;46(2):103-109. Epub 2018 Dec 19.

Division of Dermatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan.

Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin that is associated with Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV). The clinical appearance and demographic characteristics of this tumor have been described using the mnemonic AEIOU: asymptomatic, expanding rapidly, immune suppression, older than 50 years, and ultraviolet-exposed fair skin. In addition, MCC can be categorized based on morphology as pure MCC or combined MCC that exhibits neuroendocrine and other phenotypic elements. Read More

J Cutan Pathol 2019 Mar 4;46(3):199-203. Epub 2019 Jan 4.

Department of Pathology, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, aggressive cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma with increased prevalence in patients with immunosuppression or B-cell neoplasms. To the best of our knowledge, an association with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) has not been previously described. In this report, we present two cases of MCC arising in the setting of CTCL. Read More

Ir Med J 2018 Oct 11;111(9):826. Epub 2018 Oct 11.

Introduction Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare cutaneous tumour that is clinically aggressive with a high local, regional, and distant metastatic potential. Cases Three male patients presented to University Hospital Limerick (UHL) in 2015 with cutaneous lesions of the thorax, buttock and forearm. Once MCC was confirmed, management included surgical wide local excision (WLE) with regional lymph node dissection followed by adjuvant radiotherapy. Read More

Ann Surg Oncol 2019 Feb 17;26(2):386-394. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-5932, USA.

Background: For sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastasis from Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), the benefit of completion lymph node dissection (CLND) versus radiation therapy (RT) is unclear. This study compares outcomes for patients with SLN metastasis undergoing CLND or RT. We also evaluated positive non-SLNs as a prognostic factor. Read More

J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2019 Jan 14;17(1):73-75. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany.

Cesk Slov Oftalmol 2018 ;74(1):37-43

The incidence of Merkel cell carcinoma has tended to increase worldwide in recent years. Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare tumor of the skin that occurs mainly in the sun exposed sites. The malignant reversal of Merkel cells is currently associated with an infection caused by a Merkel cell polyomavirals. Read More

Cancer Treat Res 2019 ;177:211-229

Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a highly aggressive, primary neuroendocrine cancer of the skin. The majority of MCC cases are associated with the recently discovered Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), while the remaining are caused by ultraviolet (UV) light-induced mutations from excessive sunlight exposure. The risk of developing MCC is much higher in the white population relative to all other races. Read More